A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 
i 66 
41. American Bittern ( Botaurus lentiginosus). 
A common bird of marsh and lake side. Familiarly known 
by the names of Stake-driver, Shite-poke, Thunderpump, 
etc. 
42. Least Bittern ( Ardetta cxilis). 
This slender, curious little bird is common among the 
rank growth of the marshes, especially among the quill- 
reeds ; but its elusive habits result in its being little known. 
43. Great Beue Heron ( Ardea hcrodias). 
A common bird about the shores of lakes and along the 
banks of streams. Nests in colonies in the tops of tall 
trees, often in company with Cormorants. This bird is 
popularly known by the name of “Cranebut, though 
it has long legs and a long neck, it belongs to a different 
family from the Cranes proper. 
44. Beack-crowned Night Heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax 
nocvius). 
May possibly occur in Becker County, but the locality is 
rather far north for this species. 
45. Whooping Crane (Grus americand). 
A migrant, spring and fall, now becoming rare. 
46. Sandeiiee Crane ( Grus Mexicana). 
Once a very common bird, breeding in the great prairie 
marshes, but now chiefly a migrant. Usually seen and 
heard flying high overhead. 
47. King Raie ( Rallus elegans). 
Possibly a rare summer resident. 
48. Virginia Raie ( Rallus virginianus ). 
49. Carolina Raie, Sora ( Porzcma Carolina). 
This and the preceeding species are the common Rail birds 
of the marshes, the Sora, however, far out-numbering the 
larger and longer-billed Virginia Rail. The Sora remains 
until the marshes freeze in the Fall, when they disappear 
in a night as if by magic. 
50. Yeeeow Rail (Porzana noveboracensis ). 
Prof. W. W. Cooke has seen this little Rail once at White 
Earth Agency in the latter part of June, which would indi¬ 
cate it as a breeding bird. On account of the dense marshy 
growth, which it frequents, and its indisposition to take 
